Look To The Stars News: American Cancer Society

David Cook Raises Cancer Funds

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:32:00 -0000

American Idol winner David Cook is to perform at a California charity event to raise money for cancer research.

The 13th annual Taste For A Cure event will be held on June 21 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, to raise money for the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation at UCLA, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising private funds for highest priority cancer research.

The event – a wine and food tasting reception followed by a seated dinner with creations by award-winning chefs – will be hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel and will honor Fox Broadcasting Company President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award.

Tickets and more information are available at www.tasteforacure.com.

Fans of David Cook should also head over to eBay for a special charity auction benefiting the American Cancer Society in support of the singer’s brother, who is fighting brain cancer.

A signed guitar and three T-shirts are up for offer in the auction, which ends on June 17.

The Fender Telecaster guitar has a starting bid of $300, and was given to Cook’s last band, the Midwest Kings, and was signed in 2008 during the American Idol’s homecoming visit to Blue Springs, Missouri. The T-shirts feature a graphic with David Cook singing on American Idol. All three shirts are size large, and bids are already over $41.

The auction can be accessed at eBay.

How Deep Is Barry Gibb's Love?

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:45:19 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Miami Beach Community Health Center is offering free health screenings all this week thanks to the celebrity board co-chairman of the Miami Beach Health Foundation, Bee Gee Barry Gibb.

He of the falsetto voice wants to draw attention to those without access to healthcare or health insurance, and believes this week will go a long way in the fight to help the 2.5 million Floridians that lack health insurance coverage.

“Everybody has access to healthcare, but too many have to go without,” said the former Bee Gee. “This is our community, make the commitment to care.”

The free health screenings take place all this week at clinics in Miami Beach, North Miami and Little Haiti, and include blood and cholesterol check-ups, stress management and relaxation techniques, prescription drug reviews, and HIV tests.

“We know that there is a tremendous need to provide medical services for the uninsured, underinsured, and underserved members of our community,” said Kathryn Abbate, CEO at the Miami Beach Community Health Center. “For the past 30 years, the Miami Beach Community Health Center has become the `healthcare safety-net’ for so many, and with a downward economic trend, we see our role even greater to meet the healthcare needs of our community.”

To see a video of Barry Gibb talking about the Miami Beach Health Foundation, visit their website.

The singer also recently attended an event to celebrate the launch of the Young Society of Love and Hope, a new division of the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami. The evening included cocktails, a presentation of the Just Cavalli 2008 Fall Collection, and a talk from Randi Caster, a woman who had dealt with Type 1 diabetes for her entire life and eventually received a islet cell transplant through the work and research at the DRI.

And if that does not prove how deep Gibb’s love is, he has also donated a signed guitar to a Miami police raffle to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Tickets can be purchased from Lori Freedline in the Training Unit of the Police Department, phone ext. 5869, and the winner will be drawn this Saturday, May 3.

Tim Duncan's A Slam Dunk In School Yards Too

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:51:44 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Basketball star Tim Duncan’s passion for sport has grown from his professional life into other courts as well. In only six years, his Tim Duncan Foundation, has raised well over half a million dollars to support programs promoting youth sports, health, research and education.

Through fund raising events with other athletes, corporations and local celebrities, Duncan’s Foundation supports various programs in South Texas, US Virgin Islands and North Carolina. A mobile mammography unit for the uninsured, American Cancer Society, San Antonio’s Children’s Shelter and Kids Sports Network have all been beneficiaries.

The Foundation has also implemented the Tim Duncan’s Character Program, an incentive program for school kids to make good choices and demonstrate what Duncan and his wife, Amy, feel are the six key character traits: respect, integrity, fairness, dependability, caring and civic responsibility. Awards and gifts are given to over 3000 kids annually to recognize their good deeds.

Duncan sees a direct link between such traits and sports. He says, “I think that basketball and sports in general offer a lot of great lessons to kids. Dedication. Teamwork. Camaraderie. Team sports introduce you to all types of personalities and help you appreciate differences in others and build friendships. Being part of something beyond yourself is powerful.”

Hilary Swank Honored For Charity Work

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:08:35 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank was honored at a special function in Los Angeles last week for her work with cancer charities.

The 33-year-old was presented with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s 2008 Courage Award, in recognition of her efforts on behalf of the EIF’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. Past recipients of the award have included Melissa Etheridge, Lance Armstrong, and Nicole Kidman.

Among the stars to pay tribute to Swank at last week’s ceremony, held at the Beverly Wiltshire, were Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Christian Slater.

The award was presented by Swank’s Million Dollar Baby co-star Morgan Freeman, who said “she truly has the heart of a champion."

In November 2007, Swank chopped off over 9 inches of her hair on Oprah and donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a campaign working with the American Cancer Society to provide free wigs to women who have lost their hair after cancer treatment.

Celebrity Auctions For Christmas

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:34:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As the clock counts down to Christmas, celebrities have been keeping busy and warm by signing as many different items as humanly possible and donating them to a plethora of auctions. The holiday season may be at fever pitch now, but there is certainly a wide range of gift ideas to ease the stress of last minute shopping.

The VH1 Holiday Auction is currently being held at www.vh1auctions.com, and includes a long list of memorabilia from the music industry. All proceeds from the auction will go to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, an initiative dedicated to restoring music programs in schools across the US.

Items up for grabs include a harmonica signed by Alice Cooper (which has already attracted bids of $250), signed photos of Aerosmith and Chris Cornell ($300), and a guitar personally autographed by Ryan Adams ($1500). Signed clothing is also big on the agenda, with a jacket from Snoop Dogg, a vest from Iggy Pop, and sneakers from Amy Winehouse.

Signed guitars are also available as part of the Private Sessions Charity Auction, with all proceeds to benefit the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. Avril Lavigne, the Goo Goo Dolls, Meat Loaf, the Barenaked Ladies, and Toby Keith are among the stars to sign both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar for the auction, which also includes movie clapper boards autographed by Queen Latifah, Michael Douglas, and Anthony Hopkins.

But if these items whet your appetite, you have to be quick. The auction ends on December 12.

For those people celebrating Christmas in Australia this year, the Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia is auctioning Christmas decorations signed by various celebrities. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, The Rock, Delta Goodrem, Missy Higgins, and rugby league stars Matthew Johns and Benji Marshall have all put their names on baubles to raise money for sick children in the country.

An auction is also being held by Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund, to raise money for education programs in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource. A variety of fine diamond pieces are up for sale at www.ebay.com/diamondsgive, including an exquisite diamond-encrusted Ohm watch from the Simmons Jewelry Company. The opportunity to take part in exclusive photo shoots with celebrities such as Petra Nemcova, Naomi Campbell, LL Cool J, and Cedric The Entertainer are also up for grabs in the auction.

Actress and environmental activist Daryl Hannah is also doing her bit to ease the shopping blues this year, and has launched a brand new online store. www.dhlovelife.com offers goods picked with serious consideration of their environmental, social, and animal welfare impact. And if special holiday items such as an organic peace wreath and 100% recycled cards do not excite you, the store also offers compost buckets, surfboards and guitars made from hemp, bamboo snowboards, organic dog treats, and even a solar powered boat. The actress will also sell her personal bio diesel car and home fueling system on the site on December 20.

And finally a little news from the recent Lightspeed Fine Art Celebrity Charity Auction, held in Lake Forest, California, on the weekend of December 1 and 2. Lightspeed specializes in artworks relating to science fiction, and their eighth annual auction attracted guests from shows such as Stargate, Voyager, and Battlestar Galactica.

A surprise guest at the auction was Leonard Nimoy, better known as Mr Spock from Star Trek. Nimoy, who is reputed to have a huge personal collection of Star Trek memorabilia, donated several items to the auction signed by himself and William Shatner, including a plaque awarded from NASA for “inspiring a generation of scientists and explorers”.

Nimoy’s contributions made over $14,000 of the total $40,000 raised during the auction, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society and the Nimoy Foundation, an initiative that gives grants to artists-in-residence programs in museums and galleries around the US.

In the words of Mr Spock – “live long and prosper”.

Swank Takes A Cut For Charity On Oprah

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:45:11 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Oprah Winfrey had a surprise for viewers of The Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday, November 2.

“It’s taken months to get to this moment,” announced the multi Emmy Award winning host. “And it involves a two-time Academy Award winner, a sharp object… and me.”

The surprise featured an appearance by Hilary Swank, who had her long and flowing blonde hair cut off by Winfrey on the show for charity. Over 9 inches of Swank’s golden locks were lopped off and donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, a campaign working with the American Cancer Society to provide free wigs to women who have lost their hair after cancer treatment.

“I’ve been growing it for the last six months,” said 33 year old Swank. “I’ve been taking a lot of vitamins and taking really good care of it, knowing that it would go to a woman in need.”

Pantene Beautiful Lengths was launched in July 2006, in response to a survey that revealed that 58% of woman say hair loss is the most dreaded side effect they face when undergoing chemotherapy. Over 17,000 ponytails have been donated to the cause so far, and last year Pantene made a $1 million donation to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, a campaign committed to saving lives by raising money and awareness for women and families affected by the disease.

“I’ve had a lot of people in my life, loved ones and friends, who have been devastated by cancer,” said Swank. “I’m really thankful for my health, and I wanted to find a way to give back.”

During the show, Swank also talked about the high rates of cancer in America, revealing that 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with some sort of cancer during their lifetime. This means that 700,000 American women are diagnosed with the disease every year.

“Eight percent won’t get their potentially life-saving treatment, because they don’t want to lose their hair,” said Swank. “I thought, ‘Here’s my hair, cut it off, save your life!’”

“I’m proud to promote the goals of such a unique and heartfelt program,” she continued. “It’s an honor to be associated with Pantene’s campaign, and I just hope my contribution will help to inspire others to get involved in whatever way they can.”

More information about Pantene Beautiful Lengths can be found at www.pantene.com and www.myspace.com/beautifullengths.

Christy Turlington Burns Supports Cancer Charity

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:46:02 -0000

When cover model Christy Turlington Burns lost her father to lung cancer in 1997, she dedicated her life to crusading for smoking cessation and lung cancer awareness. From launching the anti-smoking and lung cancer resource website called Smoking is Ugly, to acting as spokesperson for the cause through her affiliation with organizations like the American Cancer Society, Christy has been relentless in lending her time to the cause.

Fast forward ten years and one can see that Christy’s mission is far from over.

At an event this summer at the Steven Weiss Studio in New York City for Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Initiative Christy meets a young woman who has just started her personal crusade against the same cancer that killed her mother in April 2006.

The woman was Kellie Lerner, a full-time attorney at Labaton Sucharow & Rudoff in New York, who co-founded Roseann’s Gift, a charitable organization bearing the name of Kellie’s late mother, Roseann. The charity is committed to funding research initiatives aimed to improve the early detection of lung cancer and to challenge societal attitudes associated with the disease.

This month, Christy is honored to serve as the guest of honor at the Roseann’s Gift inaugural benefit at the Manhattan Penthouse, located at 80 Fifth Avenue. The event will take place September 18, 2007 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Like Christy, Kellie was shocked to learn that lung cancer research is one of the most underfunded types of cancers in the U.S. In 2005, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimated it spent only $1,708 per lung cancer death compared to $13,947 per breast cancer death, $10,214 per prostate cancer death, and $4,655 per colorectal cancer death.

Some experts suggest that the reason lung cancer research has been poorly funded is because of the stigma associated it – namely that smokers are to blame for their illness. It’s one of many societal misconceptions Kellie intends to exploit in her campaign. “No one deserves any illness,” she says. “Lung cancer doesn’t characterize who you are as a person.”

To learn more about the charity, please visit: www.roseannsgift.org.

Celebrities Play Bingo For Charity

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:29:17 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British pop star Robbie Williams is one of a host of celebrities involved with Legendary Bingo, a weekly fundraising event held in Los Angeles. The singer was part of a charity evening earlier in August, held at Hamburger Mary’s Bar and Grill, with proceeds going towards breast cancer research.

The evening was a colorful and fun affair, with Williams winning the grand prize – a Diane Merrick leopard-print handbag. The following week, it was Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines’ turn to play the game.

“She asked if we would consider doing a wild bingo night for one of her favorite charities,” said Jeffery Bowman, producer of the Legendary Bingo events. “She was one of the most normal, nicest people I’ve ever met.”

Proceeds from that evening went to the Voice For The Animals Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating respect and empathy for animals through education, rescue, advocacy, and legislation. Maines had so much fun that she is already in negotiations to be involved in another Legendary Bingo event for charity.

Legendary Bingo was started by Bowman in 1998, as a fundraising event for AIDS projects in Los Angeles. It proved so popular that within a few months it was benefiting a different charity every week, including Habitat For Humanity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Caring For Babies With Aids, and the American Cancer Society. Before long, celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Courteney Cox, Daryl Hannah, and Tori Spelling also started to get involved, both as players and ball-callers.

Legendary Bingo has raised over $1.5 million for local and national charities and the arts since its inception.

Paltrow Hosts Diamond Charity Auction

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:58:37 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Gwyneth Paltrow hosted a diamond auction in New York last week to raise money for Hope Lodge, an American Cancer Society initiative providing free housing for adults with cancer.

The actress described the charity as “a really good cause” — her own father died from throat cancer in 2002. “My life has been affected by cancer in so many different ways.”

“When my father had cancer, he found it so isolating. It’s very difficult to empathise with it if you haven’t gone through it.”

Paltrow braved icy weather and a cold to host the event, as it had “been planned for a long time… I couldn’t take a sick day.”

Look To The Stars News: American Cancer Society

David Cook Raises Cancer Funds

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